House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2015, with 64% of the vote.
Taxation September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I think that Canadians understand that provincial governments impose provincial taxes and federal governments impose federal taxes.
Yesterday, the members of the NDP were cheering and demanding a 7% GST. Let me assure the House that, under a Conservative government, the GST is not going to go above 5%.
Tax Harmonization September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, once again, the previous government signed agreements with the provinces for GST harmonization. The model used with Quebec was completely different than with other provinces. Our government is clear. We are prepared to negotiate the same terms and the same contract with Quebec as with the other provinces, and the Minister of Finance is in the process of negotiating that with his provincial counterpart.
Tax Harmonization September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada has signed agreements with the provinces on GST harmonization based on a model established a long time ago by the previous government. We are able to offer the same terms to Quebec, and the Minister of Finance is in the process of negotiating with his provincial counterpart.
The Economy September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, this government introduced a bill to protect children from tobacco. The Liberal government refused for years to do so.
We have also heard some industry concerns. However, our priority continues to be to protect children from tobacco.
The Economy September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, as the House well knows, there was a recent tribunal decision on back taxes against Canada in the order of $60 million.
That is not pleasant news, but it is sure a lot different from the $5 billion that the previous government had tied up in disputes with the United States.
That is why nobody in the provinces or in industry wants to go back to the bad old days and why we must keep making the softwood lumber agreement work.
The Economy September 30th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, while Canada's economic performance was flat in July, of course we did see growth in June, and this is a much better performance than we are seeing south of the border.
As I have said repeatedly, while we are seeing the beginnings of a global recovery, it is fragile. That is why the House of Commons needs to be at work on the economy, passing measures for the unemployed and not out forcing an unnecessary and wasteful election.
Taxation September 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, they cheer. That is why nobody thinks they have any credibility when they talk about sales taxes.
Taxation September 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the NDP leader seems to be quite confused.
Whether to harmonize a provincial sales tax with a federal sales tax is a decision made by the province. On the contrary, this government lowered the GST twice. The NDP members voted against it and argued against it both times.
Taxation September 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, the government has not raised taxes and has no intention of raising taxes. We hope to continue to see taxes fall.
Just on that particular question, because the leader of the NDP raises the case of business taxes, yes, business taxes are falling and we will soon have the lowest rate in the G7.
I noticed that a recent report of the World Economic Forum says that partly because of this and other measures, Canada will be only one of two developed countries in the world to come out of this recession in a better competitive place than we were before, and that is the goal of the government.
Forestry Industry September 29th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, on the contrary. As I just said, the Quebec forestry industry has received $7 billion from just one EDC program. There are many other programs in the economic action plan and in this government's previous budgets.
The problem is that the Bloc voted against all these measures to help Quebec's forestry industry. They are playing politics at the expense of Quebec's forestry sector and hurting it. The Bloc should support these measures as they are important to this industry.